About Us
The Donald E. Davis Arboretum is a 13.5 acre botanic garden facility located in the heart of Auburn. Supported by the College of Sciences and Mathematics, it provides visitors with a place to enjoy a natural setting and experience the native plants and habitats of Alabama. The Arboretum, one of the oldest in the SEC, functions as a plant museum and has at its core a living collection of scientifically ordered plants with provenance documentation. It functions as an outdoor classroom for university classes, local schools and community groups.
The Arboretum has three water features (photo of waterfall here), miles of walking trails and places to relax in a beautiful nature setting. The Founder’s Oak is more than 150 years old. (Link to Founder’s Oak page)
Its Oak collection is nationally accredited through the Plant Collections Network and provides essential information such as propagation and genetic data is shared with other botanic gardens and arboreta. The Arboretum received National Accreditation by the Plant Collections Network for its Deciduous Rhododendron Collection in 2019.
The facility offers engaging events throughout the year including:
- Auburn’s Azalea Festival
- Red, White and Blueberry Bash
- Annual photo contest
- Fright Night Fridays
- Bones and Boos: An Outdoor Skeleton Exhibit
- Plant sales in both the spring and fall
The primary purposes are those of conservation, education, and research all of which support the mission of Auburn University. The Arboretum also uniquely works to protect the campus’ natural resource areas, which fulfills the sustainability objectives articulated in the University Strategic Plan and Master Plan.
The primary mission of the Davis Arboretum is: to display and preserve living plant collections and native southeastern plant communities; to inspire an understanding of the natural world and our connection to it; and to promote education, research, conservation, and outreach.
Hours
The Arboretum is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset. There is no charge for admission. Restrooms are located on the east side of the pavilion.
Parking
Parking is available near the entrances on three sides: Along Lem Morrison and the Poultry Science parking lot, along Garden Drive and in the Arboretum parking lot off Garden Drive. During the week you must have an Auburn University parking hangtag or a visitor permit from the AU Parking Service to use these spaces. Weekends and holidays parking passes are not required. See site map.
The address of the Arboretum is:
181 Garden Drive, Auburn AL 36849.